His words hurt, and yet they placed a seed of doubt in her mind. Had she sought the easy way out? She’d been afraid, confused and alone. Maybe he was right. But at the moment exhaustion had such a tight grip on her, she couldn’t think clearly. She shouldn’t have said what she had earlier—not with all Cade was doing for her and Michelle. This wasn’t the time to mess with his focus on the job.
“Go to bed, Tory.”
She struggled to her feet. Lightheaded, she swayed and nearly fell back onto the couch.
With lightning speed, Cade grasped her arm and steadied her. “C’mon. I’ll walk with you. I need to go upstairs and check the windows anyway.”
She wanted to tell him no, that she could go to her room by herself, but she couldn’t muster the words. Her eyelids drooped, the medication she’d taken in the car finally kicking in. She allowed him to hold her close against his side.
By the time he opened her bedroom door, she couldn’t even remember how she made it up the stairs. “Good night,” she murmured and quickly disappeared inside.
She fell onto the bed completely dressed. What energy she had left siphoned from her body. Darkness swallowed her, and she gladly surrendered to it.
* * *
Cade stood at the dining room window, stretching and rolling his shoulders. He’d been sitting for hours, going through Tory’s files and hadn’t found any mention that she’d worked with Judge Parks and Officer Sims on a case, except one. A man destroyed his neighbor’s car over a petty dispute. Then another time was charged with a third DUI and manslaughter. Nothing in those trials jumped out at him. The drunk driver was still in prison. Maybe he would find something later today when Tory had a chance to go through the cases. Maybe Sims was shot because he was guarding Tory and his presence had no other significance than that.
“Is something going on outside?” Uncle Ben asked.
“No.” Cade turned from the window. “Just trying to figure out if something else is going on when we take Mederos out of the equation.”
“It looks like you’ve been wrestling with that for a while.” His uncle gestured toward Cade’s head.
He raked his fingers through his hair, no doubt a mess after hitting one wall after another. “Yep. But after the evening I had, I was looking for a quick solution.”
“What’s really bothering you?”
“What makes you ask that?”
“I’ve known you for years. I can usually tell when something is eating at you.”
“Do you...” He cleared his throat. “Do you think I have a commitment phobia?”
“When you do something, you do it one hundred percent. So no, I don’t think that. What brought this on?” Uncle Ben held up his hand. “No need to tell me. Tory did.”
“She thinks I didn’t come back to El Rio because I felt she let me off the hook when she married Derek.”
“When did she tell you that?”
“Tonight.”
“After being in court all day, shot at, then going to the hospital. People say things they don’t really mean when they’re exhausted. But I have a feeling you believe her.”
Cade nodded. “I wasn’t in any shape to be a husband and father after my tour of duty. I know Derek kept things from Tory and pursued his own agenda where the baby was concerned, but he knew me well and he’s the one I talked to after losing friends in combat.”
“You were the only one who could decide if he did.”
The sound of pounding footsteps rushing down the staircase drew Cade’s attention.
Tory raced through the living room, her hair a wild mess about her face, her complexion pale and her eyes wide with fear. “Is Michelle down here?”
“No, not that I know of.” Cade moved toward her.
“She isn’t upstairs. And her bed is empty.”
“I’ve been in here for the past two hours. She didn’t come downstairs in that time.” His daughter would have had to hop over the bannister halfway down the steps for Cade to miss her.
“But she isn’t anywhere upstairs.”
“In order to leave, Michelle would have had to turn off the alarm system. I would have seen her. I’ll go outside and check with the deputies and take a look around.”
Tory spun toward the hallway. “I’m searching the first floor, then upstairs again.”
“I’ll help you,” Uncle Ben said and joined her.
Cade grabbed a flashlight, punched the disarm code into the control pad, then went out the front door. The look on Tory’s face made him question what he thought. She was convinced Michelle was gone. He didn’t think so and prayed he was right.
After talking to the deputy sheriff posted out front, Cade started for the back of the house, examining all the windows as he went. There wasn’t any reason for Michelle to leave. She was upset, but it was nighttime and it was ten miles to town. What happened to her mother had alarmed Michelle. He’d seen the fear in her expression.
When Cade rounded the rear of his house, more lights shone inside as Tory and his uncle searched it. At first he didn’t see the second guard, but the man came around from the other side, spied him and quickened his pace toward Cade.
“Is something wrong?” the deputy asked.
“Michelle isn’t in her room. I was checking the perimeter. Have you seen or heard anything unusual?”
“Other than the old mutt that hangs around the place, no. He was snooping a few bushes.”
Cade kept moving, inspecting the next window. Something nagged him. Suddenly he retraced his steps and illuminated the roof of the porch where the window to Michelle’s bedroom was. A dark movement caught his attention. He lifted his flashlight and shone it on his daughter, sitting where the porch met the house, her legs pulled up, her arms clasping them.
“Stay right there, Michelle.” Cade hurried to the front door. Inside he found Tory and Uncle Ben coming from the kitchen. “I found her on the roof outside her bedroom window.”
“What if she falls?” Tory raced for the staircase.
“It’s pretty flat.” Cade rushed after her.
Tory flipped on the overhead light and marched across the room and pulled the drapes open. “I didn’t even think to check out here. Can she climb down to the ground?”
“Not without a ladder.” He lowered his voice. “Let me talk to her first.”
“Why?”
“I used to do the same thing when I was upset at Dad. Also I want to stress how important it is she follow directions so she doesn’t fall.”
Tory’s mouth firmed into a frown. “She knows.”
“And I think you need to keep some distance from this.”
Her hands went to her waist. “What are you saying?”
“That you’re too upset to talk to her.”
For a long moment she didn’t say anything, then her tense shoulders sagged. “You’re right. We would only end up in a fight, and I don’t have the energy for that.”
“Go back to bed. If there’s something you should know, I’ll wake you.”
After Tory walked across the hall and into her bedroom, Cade slid the window up and crawled through the opening. He couldn’t see Michelle’s face, but her drawn-up legs were visible from the light in her room. The air retained its warmth from earlier, but that wouldn’t last long since the wind had kicked up.
“I used to come out here when I wanted to think.” Cade sat near Tory, his eyes adjusting to the dark. He could make out her outline. He had no idea what she was thinking, although her body language shouted she was closed off.
Silence stretched from one minute to two.
Cade tried another approach. “Why are you out here?”
“Why are you?”
“To make sure you get back inside okay.”
“I’m not gonna
fall, if that’s what you think.”
“Good to know. But this is still not a good idea. I know you feel like no one can see you up here, but I did.”
“Mom can leave the house. Why can’t I?”
“Because she has to go to the trial. Personally I wish she didn’t have to. It would be so much easier to keep her safe.”
“I couldn’t sleep. I just needed some fresh air. I’m...”
“What?”
“Frustrated. Wound up.”
“And you need a way to release that.”
“Yes, basketball does that for me. When I’m upset, I go shoot some hoops. Dad always understood that. Mom doesn’t always. She doesn’t like me being outside late at night, in our own driveway.”
A casualty of Tory’s job. And most likely as Michelle went through puberty, she would need to have a way to let off even more steam. “I had several ways to burn off frustration because there are days getting outside and running or playing basketball isn’t doable. I haven’t had time to string up my punching bag, but I will tomorrow.”
“You box?”
“Not exactly. When I’m upset or frustrated, I imagine the bag is that problem. By the time I’ve finished punching it, I’m calmer and often have a solution to what’s wrong. I was going to put it up in the bedroom you’re sleeping in, so I will in the morning. It’s good exercise. My gloves are too big for you, but I’ll get a smaller pair for you to use.”
“You don’t have to do that. I won’t be here that long.”
“It’s better than turning the living room into a basketball court.”
Michelle giggled. “Okay. I’ll give it a try, but I need this to be over. I heard my team lost today. I feel like I let them down.”
Ah, so that was part of the reason Michelle’s emotions fluctuated so much. “Remember there are other members of a team. When one player can’t be there or do what’s expected, they need to step up. The player who misses the last shot in a game that cost the team the win isn’t the only one who’s responsible for that loss. There were other times in the game other players could have stepped up and made a shot.”
After a moment, she said, “I can see why you and Dad were friends. That’s something he would tell me. Thanks for reminding me.”
“He was a special guy.” His throat constricted around the last word.
“Yes, and I miss him every...” Her voice faded into the silence.
“Day?”
She nodded.
“I miss him too,” Cade said and meant every word. “We had some good times growing up.” Cade heard Michelle yawn. “Maybe we should go back inside. I don’t know about you, but I’m beat.”
“Yeah, me too.”
After Michelle crawled through the opened window, Cade followed then locked it. “This will end soon, I promise. Good night.” He crossed to the door.
As he stepped into the hallway, Michelle said, “Thanks.”
He looked at her and smiled. “Anytime.”
The quiet sound of her closing the door made him hopeful he could have a relationship with his daughter—at least as a friend.
* * *
Before lunch, Tory dressed for court in a conservative dark gray suit, slid her feet into her comfortable slippers and crossed the hall to Michelle’s bedroom, rapping softly. Cade had told her about his idea of hanging a punching bag for her.
In her workout clothes, Michelle opened her door. Behind her, a dark brown leather bag dangled from a stand while Michelle held protective gloves in her hands. Sweat glistened on her forehead.
“How do you like boxing?” Tory never thought she would ask her daughter that question.
Michelle grinned. “I feel good. Cade was right.”
“I’m glad it’s helping. Just wanted to see if you’re okay.”
“Are you going to work now? I thought court wouldn’t convene until after lunch.” Her daughter’s gaze skimmed down Tory’s body, and she laughed. “I know you don’t like heels, but don’t you think your slippers are too casual?”
“Funny. I could always start a new trend.”
“You? I don’t see you doing that.”
Michelle’s teasing tone lifted Tory’s spirits. Was this Cade’s doing? She grinned and started for the stairs. “You never know.”
She followed the scent of coffee brewing and entered the kitchen as Cade set the pot on the counter after filling his mug. “Good morning.”
He took a long look at her. “You sound upbeat. How’s your arm?”
“The pain is manageable. I spoke to Michelle before coming downstairs. I think she really likes the punching bag.”
“She’s used to a lot of exercise. Being cooped up in this house these past few days has been hard on her. Coffee?”
“Yes, tons of it.”
Cade poured it into a mug and passed it to Tory. “I’ve narrowed down the cases that might be tied to what’s going on. Four look the most promising although there are more on my list. I thought we could discuss them before we go into town for the trial. I’ll run down leads this afternoon. Paul called and wanted to know when we would arrive. He’s staking out where you’ll be entering to prevent what happened yesterday.”
“How’s Officer Sims?”
“He’ll be fine. He’s being guarded at the hospital. The San Antonio office sent another Texas Ranger to guard him.”
With the one Texas Ranger protecting Judge Duggin, that made three on the case. “With Carlos Dietz’s testimony on Monday, I’ll be resting my case. Hopefully things will settle down after that.”
“Maybe, especially if this is all tied to Mederos. But not all the cases on my list involving you, Judge Parks and/or Officer Sims are connected to Mederos. Where’s Ben?”
“Here.” The older man came into the kitchen from the dining room. “I was checking Cade’s list for him. Do you want something to eat?”
“I’m starving.”
“Breakfast or lunch since it’s nearly eleven?” Ben walked to the refrigerator.
“Both. I skipped dinner last night.”
“Let me see what I can come up with.”
Before Tory left the room, she glanced back. “Whatever you fix will be good. By this time next week, I’m hoping to be out of your hair, and your life will be back to normal.”
In the dining room, Tory sat diagonally from Cade. She wanted her life back. “I’m ready. Who is on the top of your list?”
He opened a file and slid it toward her. “Matthew Thorne. He was arrested for armed robbery.”
“My first conviction as a prosecutor. I pushed for a longer sentence. He got out of prison a couple of months ago on good behavior. Why him?”
“I can’t find him. He didn’t check in with his parole officer last month.”
“I hadn’t heard that.”
“What can you tell me about him?”
“Mean and desperate. I shouldn’t be surprised he went into hiding.”
“And yet he got out of prison because of his good behavior.”
“Because he can be like a chameleon.” The time Matthew’s behavior made a one-eighty turn in a blink of her eye sent goose bumps down her arms.
“Then there’s Bobby Lindsey, arrested on drug charges. His prison time was extended because he beat up an inmate. If the guards hadn’t stopped the fight, Bobby would have faced murder charges. He didn’t become a member of Mederos’s gang until he came out of prison two summers ago.”
The memory of the bright sunny day outside the courtroom when Bobby blocked her path flooded her mind. “He threatened me in court when he was hauled away. I’ve seen him a few times in town. He actually came up to me and apologized for what he said before going away. But I didn’t believe a word of it. The words were correct, but the look in h
is eyes shouted his hatred of me.”
Cade nodded. “My third choice is Clarence Roberts. He died in prison two years ago. He was killed by an inmate.”
“I didn’t know that. He was convicted of rape. He kept insisting he was innocent, but the evidence said otherwise. The jury took less than three hours to come back with a guilty verdict.”
“Roberts’s and Lindsay’s cases are the only ones that also included Officer Sims. Any of the other ones weren’t serious with all three of you involved.”
“I still think Mederos is behind all of this. I don’t think Officer Sims was the intended victim yesterday.”
Cade lowered his head and kneaded his nape. “That’s a given possibility. I’m just looking at other options.”
“Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Enough. I’ve gotten by on less before.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do.”
He frowned and looked at his list. “The last one was more recent. Manuel Freeman.”
“He’s still in prison and should be there for life for murder.”
“But he told you he would kill you and he has several family members who have been vocal about the injustice he received at the hands of you and Judge Parks.”
“True and any of them could be capable, especially his wife.”
“Who is at the top of your list?” Cade set his piece of paper on the table.
“I’ve already told you. Mederos. He has the most to lose and lots of minions to do his dirty work.”
“I learned the hard way that the easy, most obvious answer can get someone killed.” He inhaled a breath, held it, then finally exhaled. “I was sure I had the right killer in a serial murder case when I first became a Texas Ranger. I was wrong and a married couple was murdered because I didn’t consider all the options.”
No one was infallible, but from the sound of his voice, Cade expected it from himself. “We’re human. We make mistakes.”
“Mine cost two people their lives? I almost resigned, but Uncle Ben came all the way to Houston to give me a lecture.”
“If not Mederos, then Matthew Thorne. He’s gone underground. What’s the reason?”
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